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In this week's Crossroads, you will find information on:
Provincial and Regional restrictions
In-Person Worship, Sunday 10 AM
Day of Pentecost
Fred Jauck Turns 104
Sunday School
Sabbatical Report
Honorary Degree
Mattias’ Gutsy Walk
Women in Faith luncheon
Women in Faith Stitch and Chat
National Indigenous History Month
Wonderful Wednesdays
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2022 National Convention
ELCIC 2021 Annual Report
Compassionate Justice
Plant Sale
Jazz Vespers
Fridays 7 PM PDT - Vigil for Peace over Zoom
Read Ahead
This Week at Church of the Cross
The deadline for all Crossroads submissions is Wednesday at 12 noon.
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Provincial and Regional restrictions have been updated as of April 8, 2022.
Here is the public health restrictions page.
At Church of the Cross masks are recommended but not required. Choir members have been asked to wear masks and those singing are encouraged to as well.
In-Person Worship, Sunday, 10 AM PDT
 Church Council continues to work to see that in-person worship is safer for everyone. We will adjust our plans as health orders change.
Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best protection for the health of yourself and others. We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to be fully vaccinated.
We will continue to livestream worship each Sunday.
June 5, Day of Pentecost
Everyone planning to come to worship are asked to follow these requirements:
- If you are not feeling well and experiencing any Covid-19 related symptoms or if you are not vaccinated, please stay home and participate in worship online.
- You are encouraged but not required to wear a mask when entering the building and throughout worship.
- Observe social distancing.
- Sanitize or wash hands as needed.
- You are welcome to sing and you are encouraged to wear a mask.
- We will greet one another and share the peace at a distance.
- Holy Communion will be served with bread and individual glasses of wine that are spaced in the trays. You may commune with bread or wine alone if you wish.
- It is not required that people register for worship ahead of time or sign in as you arrive.
We will continue to make adjustments as needed and keep you informed of any changes. Your feedback on your experience with in-person worship is valued. Please let any member of Church Council, Pastors, or the church office know of any questions, concerns or ideas for making in-person worship and Sunday School safer and meaningful for everyone.
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Day of Pentecost
We look forward to celebrating this third of the three great festivals of the Christian Church, Pentecost - the Day of the Holy Spirit, this Sunday, June 5 at 10 AM PDT in-person and on livestream. Everyone is invited to wear red to celebrate the day, and we look forward to seeing and hearing the Spirit in songs and sounds and voices in many languages and in one another and this world as we gather.
Artist: Mark Durham
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Fred Jauck Turns 104
 In June 5th, Fred Jauck, long time member of Church of the Cross will turn 104! Amazing! You are all invited to the upper hall of Church of the Cross for coffee and snacks after the church service to celebrate with Fred. Join us to give Fred our best wishes.
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Upcoming Sunday School Dates
Pentecost, Sunday, June 5
Holy Trinity, Sunday, June 12
Consider inviting a family with kids ages 2-11 to join for Sunday School.
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Sabbatical Report - 2022
A report on my sabbatical in the first three months of this year may be found at the following link: Click Here.
Thank you again for this opportunity.
Grace and peace
– Lyle
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Rev. Lyle McKenzie Receives Honorary Degree from the University of Victoria
 It is with great joy that we share the news of Rev. Lyle McKenzie’s honorary degree at the University of Victoria. The convocation ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 2:30pm. It will also be webcast and can be viewed at the following link: https://www.uvic.ca/ceremonies/convocation/
Congratulations Pastor Lyle!
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Reverend Lyle McKenzie
Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD)
Tuesday, June 14, 2022 | 2:30 pm PDT
 Reverend Lyle McKenzie has served as part-time chaplain at the University of Victoria for 19 years. A visionary leader, he helped to develop programs within congregations to advance Truth and Reconciliation and the inclusion of Queer siblings. He was instrumental in developing the recent Memorandum between UVic and faith communities and has been a strong contributor to the growth of multifaith cooperation on campus.
Reverend McKenzie has been a life force in establishing the Shelbourne Community Kitchen in response to food insecurity. He has also worked with others to establish a congregational Choral Scholar program and an affordable post-secondary student house community.
Reverend McKenzie is one of the authors of "Faith Forum" articles in the Times Colonist. And with Luther Court, Reverend McKenzie has been a vital contributor to a proposed affordable intergenerational housing project for post-secondary students and elders to live in an intentional community together.
This honour recognizes Reverend McKenzie for his teaching by example, his creative approach to worship through art and music, and his dedication to public service.
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Mattias’ Gutsy Walk June 5, 1 PM, Tulista Park in Sidney
My name is Mattias Gulbrandsen and I am a confirmand at Church of the Cross. In February, a week before my 13th birthday, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. If you have never heard of colitis, it is an inflammatory bowel disease that leads to bleeding ulcers in my colon. Sounds scary, I know, but thanks to my doctors and BC Children's Hospital, I am getting the help I need. I have been able to return to school, hang with my friends and be a kid again. But this is a life-long disease and hopefully in my lifetime there will be a cure for kids like me.
On Sunday, June 5, 2 022 at 1:00pm, beginning and ending at Tulista Park in Sidney, I will be walking with my friends and family, along with thousands of others affected by Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, to raise funds and awareness for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research and patient programs. I am inviting my friends at Church of the Cross to join me for a 5k walk along Sidney’s waterfront, a photo scavenger hunt for prizes, with fun and snacks at Tulista Park afterwards. Sign up at the link below and we’ll send you more details.
If you can’t join me for the walk, I am also fundraising for donations that will go to research and finding a cure for inflammatory bowel diseases.
To walk or donate, visit the home of Team Pootine: Click Here
Thank you for supporting TEAM POOTINE! 💩
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Women in Faith luncheon
Women in Faith committee is planning a year-end June luncheon on June 9th at 1:00 pm at the Glo restaurant. It is located at #104-2940 Jutland Rd. Besides inviting all women to attend, we are also including your spouses or friends to join us. Please let Gisela B., Janice N., or the office know if you plan to attend so that we can reserve tables to accommodate an approximate number of people.
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Women in Faith Stitch and Chat
- Tuesday, June 14th at 1:00 pm, Rotunda
Have you  ever seen a circular sock machine in action? Come and join the Women in Faith Stitch and Chat Group meeting on June 14th at 1:00 PM in the Rotunda to see one. You are invited to bring along your current craft project or just join the group for the conversation. If you want to learn how to knit, crochet or sew there is always someone available to get you started. For more information contact Janice at jbnel13@gmail.com.
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Indigenous History Month
June is Indigenous History Month, a time to lift up the history and reality of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Canada. Here are some resources to broaden your understanding of the experience of Indigenous peoples in Canada and in Victoria:
Learn about the Lekwungen peoples on whose unceded traditional territory Victoria is located: Click Here
12 Documentaries on Indigenous Life in Canada: Click Here
Rez Rules by Chief Clarence Louie
In 1984, at the age of twenty-four, Clarence Louie was elected Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in the Okanagan Valley. Nineteen elections later, Chief Louie has led his community for nearly four decades. The story of how the Osoyoos Indian Band—“The Miracle in the Desert”.
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
This powerful book tells the first hand experience of five survivors of the residential school system. Click here for a link to ordering the book.
Truth and Reconciliation
A good overview to help understand the importance of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada can be found in this resource: Click Here
Truth and Reconciliation Committee
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Wonderful Wednesdays: Faith Seeking Understanding
with Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee next Wednesday!
Wednesday, June 8, 7pm (in-person and Zoom)
Why did Jesus die? Did Jesus "die for our sins" and if so, how does that work? How can we understand Jesus' "work on the cross" in life-giving ways, for the 21st century? In what ways (if at all) are we saved by the cross of Christ?
Join Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee and Rev. Christine Conkin (in-person and on Zoom) for a historical overview of various ways of understanding Jesus, known at "atonement theology," and to explore emerging contemporary understandings.
Once a month, we will gather (in person and online) to engage one aspect of theology, seeking to re-build our understanding of Christian faith. Join the conversation once or throughout the year! The next Wonderful Wednesdays session will be in September - date TBD.
Click here for the Zoom link
Want to watch the last session held in May? Click here.
Have suggestions for future topics you'd like to see us feature?
Please email us!
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Registration to the 2022 National Convention Now Open
 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Office opened registration for the 2022 ELCIC National Convention on May 30. Delegates should have received an email informing them to register by June 30, 2022.
If you are a delegate from your synod and have not received the email sent on May 30, please send an email to: nationalconvention@elcic.ca. (You may also wish to double check your email's spam folder.)
The Bulletin of Reports, a compilation of documents to be used in all business sessions at the convention, is now available to view and download from the convention website. All attendees are encouraged to download and read the Bulletin of Reports in preparation for the National Convention, which will be held online on July 15-16, 2022.
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ELCIC 2021 Annual Report Now Available
 The 2021 ELCIC Annual Report is now available! This publication of the ELCIC provides you with a summary and highlights of the work of the church and various initiatives, which are a reflection on the many ways that we have come together and the many partnerships that help enable us to carry out our mission. The 2021 ELCIC Annual Report focused on ELCIC's Vision Priorities which are: Courageous Innovation, Reconciled Relationships, One Body Working Together, and Empowered Disciples. Go ahead and download your copy today when you click here.
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Compassionate Justice
World Council of Churches: Statelessness, A Product of Racialized Nationality?
The webinar "Statelessness, A Product of Racialized Nationality?" by the World Council of Churches explores the intersectionality between statelessness and racial discrimination. This webinar was held way back in March and is now available online. To watch, please click here.
Latest Issue of International Review of Mission Continues Focus on "Christ's Love: Mission and Unity"
Continuing to look toward the 2022 Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) that will gather around the theme "Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity," the latest issue of the WCC journal International Review of Mission focuses on Christ's love: "mission and unity." To read this journal, please click here.
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Plant Sale
St. Luke's is holding a Plant Sale in the parking lot on June 4th from 10 am - 2 pm. There will be a variety of plants: flowers, vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials, and houseplants. Payments by donation: cash, debit or credit cards accepted. We invite our friends from Lutheran Church of the Cross to come by for the Plant Sale.
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Your friends at St. Luke Cedar Hill invite you to Jazz Vespers
 Join Jazz Vespers on Sunday, June 5th. from 7 pm at St. Luke Cedar Hill across the street from Church of the Cross. Parking available at St. Luke’s. This hour long service will feature live jazz along with contemporary prayers, poems, and readings. Come and see and hear what it’s all about!
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Vigil for Peace continues - Prayers for Ukraine and the World - Fridays 7 PM PDT.
 Each Friday, as we gather in prayer for peace, we pray for Ukraine and the world. Please join us in prayer and share this invitation widely.
We know this is a time of anxiety and deep uncertainty. We invite you to pause and join us for a short a short vigil service, as we gather to light candles as a symbol of peace and pray for all those impacted by the invasion of Ukraine as well as all those suffering as a result of war and political oppression.
Come as you are, bring a candle to light, and gather with people from BC and beyond. If you have events scheduled, consider inviting those you are with to join us at 7:00pm for this short time of prayer (approx. 15 minutes).
The leadership of these prayer times in the coming weeks will be shared. If you are interested in helping with leadership, please let the BC Synod Office know.
Congregational offices and leaders, please send this invitation out to your email lists. Let us all continue to pray.
With thanks,
Bishop Kathy Martin
Pastor Katrina Vigen
Pastor Jane Gingrich
Pastor Kristen Steele
BC Synod is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Vigil for Peace - Prayers for Ukraine and the World
Time: Fridays at 7:00pm (Vancouver)
Zoom link is available if you subscribe to BC Synod news via e-mail or otherwise contact Pr. Lyndon or Pr. Lyle to forward you the Zoom link.
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Day of Pentecost